Eechathalakenda incognita, the newly discovered species, had been confused with Eechathalakenda ophicephala for the last 70 years
The plant was found in high-altitude montane grasslands and shola forest margins of the Western Ghats, including regions such as Anamudi and Meesapulimala
The algae, the first-ever reported discovery of the genus Interfilum from India, has been named Interfilum shuklaii in honour of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Indian Air Force test pilot and astronaut.